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11 Ways To Completely Revamp Your London Window
Daylight Robbery - London's Blocked-Up Windows

What started as a fascination with London's blasted-up windows has turned into an investigation into the role light and air play in our wellbeing. The exhibition Daylight Robbery features 80 photos of the blocked-up windows around the city.

The Great Fire of London marked the beginning of a new phase in the design of windows. This led to a shift in architecture and the creation of sash windows.

What is a window?

A window is a opening in a wall, door or roof to let in light and air. It is usually constructed with frames and spanners of glass mounted to permit opening and closing. A window could also be referred to as an aperture for windows or window light pane.

Sash windows are the most common type of window in London. These are vertically-opening windows that open with an opening mechanism that slides. They are still used in older homes, but are less common in more recent constructions. Modern double-glazed windows are typically constructed from uPVC and are opened in the same way as traditional sash windows but with much improved insulation.

Sash windows are distinctive. They were invented because of the narrow streets of London and the close-packed buildings. They are distinguished by two sashes that slide up and down inside the frame and overlap when open. The movement of sash is aided by a system that includes pulleys, weights, as well as counter balances that are hidden within the frame.

Sash windows can be opened by sliding them open or by cranking them like a door. They can be single hung, double hung or casement. A casement window opens outward and can be fitted with one or more sashes, which are fixed in place or tilted to assist with cleaning. Certain casement windows hinge and can swing in and out like an awning or be opened by turning a crank.

london window and door 's not difficult to understand why sash windows have been so popular over the centuries. But, they have their disadvantages and one of the major issues is that it can be difficult to keep them safe in the current security issues. We recommend that you replace your old sash window with the most recent tilt-and-turn models that are more effective in keeping burglars from entering your home.

The Great Fire of London


The Great Fire of London was an enormous fire that swept through London's city centre on 2nd September 1666. When the fire was put out on the 6th, only four-fifths the city was still standing. It destroyed 13,000 homes, 89 churches, and 52 Guild Halls. Thousands of people were left homeless. It was believed that the fire started because of the bakery in Pudding Lane. The flame quickly spread thanks to warehouses that were filled with combustible materials and a strong easterly wind. It is estimated that approximately 16 people were killed.

After the fire the king Charles II set about rebuilding the city. Sir Christopher Wren designed a new St Paul's Cathedral and laid the foundations for numerous churches across the city. He also built wider streets and made sure buildings were constructed from brick instead of timber. The city became less crowded because of the fire.

Sash windows have been a part of London architecture for long periods of time. They are well-known because they offer a perfect blend of traditional design and modern technology. However, it took them a while to reach where they are today.

The first sash window was invented in the 17th century and included an incline bar that was vertical and fixed sash. The window could be opened into the room but not upwards towards the sky. Over the years the design of the sash was altered and it morphed into a box-style window. The sash remains an extremely popular and widely used window in many different kinds of houses and apartments.

Jen Pedler selected a trompe-l'oeil in Smithfield that depicts a sailor returning to his family. "I am awestruck by it because the scene could actually happen." She said, "It's a very atmospheric space, and it's easy for me to imagine what's happening in the room to the left."

Andy Summers is an artist who has taken photographs of over 80 bricked-up windows throughout the City of London for his ongoing project Daylight Robbery. He initially was drawn to the aesthetics of the windows, but he later discovered that the windows have significant historical significance.

Sash windows

As a city with a history as long and rich as London's, this capital is home to amazing period buildings. Sash windows are a feature that's often associated with these historical buildings. From grand townhouses to quaint terraces, they can be seen everywhere in the capital's streets.

Despite their popularity, traditional sash windows don't always make the best impression in the present day. They are notorious for letting draughts in and being difficult to open or close and causing their mechanisms to jam. A new double-glazed sash from Lomax + Wood is a breath of fresh air. It offers a high-quality timber product that is easy-to-use and has a high energy efficiency.

The sash window was created by English craftsmen, however it isn't known for certain. They are also credited with changing building regulations following the Great Fire, which led to windows being replaced with frames that were narrower and less likely to catch fire. These frames with recessed edges give Georgian and Victorian facades their distinctive look.

The sash consists of small panes that are held in muntins or glazing bars. Originally, the windows were composed of multiple panes since glass was so expensive - in the event of a break it would cost a lot to replace it. Today, the cost of glass has sunk dramatically so the windows are typically comprised of a single pane, with astragal bars inserted to give the appearance of smaller panes.

Sash windows can be opened either by sliding them or using an sash box mechanism. Double-hung sashes are able to be opened from both the top and bottom. The two sashes are secured in vertical grooves within the frame by a sash cord, and balanced by weights that are hidden within the box frame.

Many sash windows are over 100 years old and could be suffering from issues such as rattles or draughts. You can replace them, however, with double-glazed sash windows that are FENSA registered and comply with strict building regulations in terms of thermal performance as well as security and acoustic isolation.

Bricked-up windows

You might have noticed something odd when you stroll through the streets of the old England windows are sometimes replaced with bricks. This may sound odd, but it's actually for a very good cause, and it's a matter of money. In 1696, there was a tax on windows that was imposed on homeowners, which increased the amount depending on the number of windows their homes had. The tax was referred to as the 'daylight theft', this tax was so hated that people went to extreme lengths to avoid it.

Some people chose to brick up their windows or construct homes without windows. The window-blocking trend was only temporary, as the 'daylight-robbery tax was finally eliminated in 1851. However, it's still common to see windows with bricks on the sides of older buildings, and you can usually identify if they were originally windows by looking for a lintel or sill which match up to where the glass would have been.

Check for the step back line in the brickwork, which resembles the lines of the glass on either side. Also, look to check if the bricks are all the same colour, and if there's a gap in the mortar where the window would be, it's likely that the window was never actually blocked off.

If you are interested in learning more about the history of these windows, there's an exhibition at London's Victoria & Albert Museum called The Daylight Robbery which is worth checking out. The exhibition takes a look at the effect light and air have on our health and wellbeing. It examines ways we can improve our health.

The exhibit does have its faults, most notably in the claim that 'a lot' of the houses that were featured had their windows blasted off to avoid paying the Georgian-era window tax (and not just because of an overall dislike of the tax). It fails to consider the conditions that affect wellbeing, especially health, since the introduction of the tax on windows and the so-called "lockdown" period.

Read More: https://www.zaharina.co.uk/the-10-most-infuriating-upvc-windows-in-london-fails-of-all-time-could-have-been-prevented/